Lara Stone in Fendi for Numéro 256 Inspires Clear Thinking on Maria Grazia Chiuri AOC Fashion

Supermodel Lara Stone really is back. And she looks great . . . at age 42ish. AOC just posted Stone and Saskia de Brauw covering M Le magazine du Monde’s September 27th cover story. Now we’re checking her out in Numero’s new Mode issue #256.

Lara is styled by Anna Castan in the all-Fendi story lensed by Matt Easton [IG]. / Hair by Cyril Laloue; makeup by Marion Robine

Fendi Set to Welcome New Creative Director

On the subject of Fendi, with Silvia Venturini Fendi being named honorary president and allowing a new creative director to take the reins of the Fendi luxury brand, AOC assumes that Maria Grazia Chiuri will step into the spotlight as the new creative head of women’s and probably men’s as well.

At every fork in the road, I’ve sided with LVMH on putting JW Anderson in at Dior 1] because he’s very talented and has waited a long time for the position and 2] because Chiuri has been outspoken on her desire to return to Rome.

Except for Rare Occasions, Every Endorsement Has Limits

I’ve defended the Anderson decision when other women fashion writers were ripping into LVMH — going so far out on the limb as to say on WaPo: “Calm down. She’s going to Fendi. LVMH is not so stupid as to throw Chiuri to the curb, when some VIP women clients may not even like the new Dior.”

Rational, right?

If Maria Grazia is at Fendi, everybody wins, and she can work her still considerable magic with serious businesswomen and philanthropists who love her. I understand that Fendi wants to go younger — and has cultivated a younger audience — but in this troubled economic climate and uncertain future a woman of Chiuri’s stature surely has much to contribute to Fendi’s bottom line.

There’s a heap of women who will gravitate to Fendi with Chiuri at the helm. Or add Fendi, while staying with Dior as well. So LVMH covers all the bases. Based on what I saw on today’s Dior show in Paris, LVMH needs to protect the 35+ professional woman who loved Chiuri’s Dior.

Chiuri not only has major design expertise. She’s a moneymaker. She understands business, which makes her a true ally with new Fendi CEO Ramon Ros.

That’s my position. There’s nothing more to say. ~ Anne